Catering Chef - IRT Catering

IRT Group; Unanderra; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Appreciation leave

Career pathways

Discounted gym memberships

EAP and staff wellness program

Structured day shifts

Job summary

IRT Australia in New South Wales is seeking a Full Time Chef to join our central production kitchen. You will report to the Production Manager and work on a rotating roster, with early shifts 6am–2:30pm or 8:30am–5pm, Monday to Friday, cooking nutritious meals for aged care residents using a cook-chill system.

The role focuses on preparing large-volume meals, ensuring food safety and HACCP compliance, and delivering consistent quality.

Qualifications

• Qualified Chef with Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and experience in high-volume production kitchens.
• Experience in healthcare, aged care, or hospitality environments is ideal.
• Solid knowledge of food safety and HACCP principles.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet production deadlines.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with cook-chill systems is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and portion meals in line with menu requirements and production schedules.
• Operate large-scale cooking equipment including kettles, ovens, and blast chillers.
• Ensure meals meet quality, presentation and taste standards.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, HACCP, and WHS requirements.
• Conduct temperature monitoring, recording and quality checks.
• Assist with stock rotation, stock control and minimising food waste.
• Collaborate with kitchen and production teams to achieve daily targets.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the kitchen.

Skills

High-volume kitchen experience

Food safety & HACCP knowledge

Cook-chill systems experience

Strong teamwork & communication

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Tools

Kettles

Ovens

Blast chillers

Job description

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We are a large-scale Central Production Kitchen (CPK) specialising in the preparation of nutritious, high-quality meals for aged care residents. Using a cook-chill production system, we prepare, portion, and distribute meals to multiple aged care facilities, ensuring residents receive safe, delicious, and nutritionally balanced food every day.

About the Role

We are looking for a Full Time Chef who will report to the Production Manager. This role will be working Monday to Fridays from either 6am to 230pm or 830am-5pm on a rotating roster.

You will be responsible for preparing and cooking large-volume meals in accordance with production schedules, recipes, food safety requirements, and quality standards. This role plays a vital part in delivering nutritious, consistent meals to our aged care residents.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Prepare, cook and portion meals in line with menu requirements and production schedules
• Operate large-scale commercial cooking equipment, including kettles, ovens, and blast chillers
• Ensure all food is prepared to the highest standards of quality, presentation, and taste
• Maintain strict compliance with food safety, HACCP, and workplace health and safety requirements
• Conduct temperature monitoring, recording, and quality checks
• Assist with stock rotation, stock control, and minimising food waste
• Work collaboratively with kitchen and production teams to achieve daily production targets
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the kitchen

To Be Successful You Will Have

• Qualified Chef experience and hold a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent
• Previous experience in a high-volume production kitchen, catering, healthcare, aged care, or hospitality environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP principles
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and meet production deadlines
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Reliable, organised, and committed to producing high-quality meals
• Experience with cook-chill systems will be highly regarded

Benefits for You

• Competitive pay and more cash in your pocket (less tax) with not-for-profit salary packaging
• Appreciation leave - relax and take two days off on us!
• Multiple career pathways
• Discounted gym memberships
• Free counselling via Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and staff wellness program
• Day shifts with a structured roster
• Supportive team environment
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference through the provision of quality meals

Successful applicants will complete pre-employment checks, including references, a functional assessment, and a National Criminal History Check.